WASHINGTON – Construction employment declined in 151 out of 337 metro areas – including the Providence-Fall River-Warwick and New Bedford areas – rose in 126 out of 337 metro areas and stayed stagnant in 60 metro areas from November 2011 to November 2012, according to a report from the Associated General Contractors of America.

The Providence-Fall River-Warwick area lost 1,300 construction jobs during the year, a year-over-year loss of 6 percent, to 19,300 jobs in the metro area in November, not seasonally adjusted.

The New Bedford metro area lost 100 construction, mining and logging positions during the year, dropping the number of jobs 5 percent from 2,200 in November 2011 to 2,100 in November 2012.

According to association officials, construction employment declined in many areas as government or business officials delayed projects in the face of federal tax and funding uncertainty.

“The uncertainty about 2013 federal tax and spending rates likely prompted firms in many parts of the country to hold back on hiring,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said in prepared remarks. “Construction workers in the New York area, meanwhile, suffered as existing projects were put on hold in the weeks following Hurricane Sandy.”

Statewide, Rhode Island lost 600 construction jobs, or 3 percent year over year, in November. The Ocean State’s construction jobs dropped from 17,700 in November 2011 to 16,900 in November 2012.

Statewide, Massachusetts lost 2 percent of its construction jobs over the year, dropping from 110,800 jobs in November 2011 to 108,900 in November 2012.

For the full Associated General Contractors of America report, visit www.agc.org.

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